Select delivery location
See All Buying Options
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the authors

Janet Ahlberg
+ Follow
Allan Ahlberg
+ Follow
See all
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Burglar Bill Paperback – August 1, 1992

by Allan Ahlberg (Author), Janet Ahlberg (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,343 ratings
See all formats and editions
Janet and Allan Ahlberg's hilarious picture book, Burglar Bill. Burglar Bill is an entertaining picture book by the iconic British husband and wife picture book team Janet and Allan Ahlberg, creators of Peepo! Perfect as a bedtime story and for children learning to read! Who's that creeping down the street? Who's that climbing up the wall? Who's that coming through the window? Who's that? ... It's Burglar Bill. Allan Ahlberg has published over 100 children's books and with his late wife Janet, created many award-winning children's picture books, including Cops and Robbers, It was a Dark and Stormy Night, Each Peach Pear Plum and the Kate Greenaway Medal winning The Jolly Postman. Look out for these other classics by Allan Ahlberg: Kicking a Ball; The Baby's Catalogue; Cops and Robbers; Each Peach Pear Plum; The One and Only Two Heads; Son of a Gun; The Little Worm Book; Two Wheels Two Heads; Funny Bones; A Pair of Sinners; Happy Families; Peepo!; The Ha Ha Bonk Book; Help Your Child to Read; Ten in a Bed; Please Mrs Butler; Daisy Chains; Yum Yum; Playmates; Foldaways; Woof; The Cinderella Show; The Jolly Postman; The Jolly Christmas Postman; The Jolly Pocket Postman; The Clothes Horse and Other Stories; The Mighty Slide; Starting School; Heard it in the Playground; The Bear Nobody Wanted; It was a Dark and Stormy Night; The Giant Baby; Baby Sleeps; Blue Buggy; Doll and Teddy; See the Rabbit; Please Mrs Butler; The Better Brown Stories; The Boyhood of Burglar Bill
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    2 - 4 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Lexile measure
    AD550L
  5. Dimensions
    7 x 0.25 x 8.5 inches
  6. Publisher
    Puffin Books
  7. Publication date
    August 1, 1992
  8. ISBN-10
    9780140503012
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0140503012
  10. See all details
Next page
Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Allan Ahlberg, a former teacher, postman, plumber's mate and grave digger, is in the super-league of children's writers. He has published over 100 children's books and, with his late wife Janet, created such award winning picture books as Each Peach Pear Plum and The Jolly Postman, both winners of the Kate Greenaway Medal. His latest book - Kicking a Ball, illustrated by Sebastien Braun was published in May. He has also written prize-winning poetry and longer fiction. He lives in Bath, and, to avoid distractions, writes from a shed in his garden!

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0140503013
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Puffin Books; First Edition (August 1, 1992)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780140503012
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140503012
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 2 - 4 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD550L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.25 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,343 ratings

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Previous page
  1. Allan Ahlberg

    Allan Ahlberg

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Janet Ahlberg (21 October 1944 – 13 November 1994), née Janet Hall, and Allan Ahlberg (born 5 June 1938) were a British married couple who created many children's books, including picture books that regularly appear at the top of "most popular" lists for public libraries. They worked together for 20 years until Janet died of cancer in 1994. Allan wrote the books and Janet illustrated them. Allan Ahlberg has also written dozens of books with other illustrators.

    Janet Ahlberg won two Kate Greenaway Medals for illustrating their books and the 1978 winner Each Peach Pear Plum was named one of the top ten winning works for the 50th anniversary of the Medal (1955–2005). In the U.S. it was published by Viking Press in 1979 as Each Peach Pear Plum: an "I Spy" story; the national library catalogue summary explains, "Rhymed text and illustrations invite the reader to play 'I spy' with a variety of Mother Goose and other folklore characters."

    Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Janet Ahlberg

    Janet Ahlberg

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Janet Ahlberg (21 October 1944 – 13 November 1994), née Janet Hall, and Allan Ahlberg (born 5 June 1938) were a British married couple who created many children's books, including picture books that regularly appear at the top of "most popular" lists for public libraries. They worked together for 20 years until Janet died of cancer in 1994. Allan wrote the books and Janet illustrated them. Allan Ahlberg has also written dozens of books with other illustrators.

    Janet Ahlberg won two Kate Greenaway Medals for illustrating their books and the 1978 winner Each Peach Pear Plum was named one of the top ten winning works for the 50th anniversary of the Medal (1955–2005). In the U.S. it was published by Viking Press in 1979 as Each Peach Pear Plum: an "I Spy" story; the national library catalogue summary explains, "Rhymed text and illustrations invite the reader to play 'I spy' with a variety of Mother Goose and other folklore characters."

    Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

    See more on the author's page
Next page

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
1,343 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kristina E
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute book
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
Cute book, definitely written by a European author which I hadn’t realized so I did have to explain a few of the terms used, but he loved the book overall.
Helpful
 Report
Rebecca LM
5.0 out of 5 stars Happy To Find This Book
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2022
Verified Purchase
I loved this book when I grew up in England. My version was water damaged from when I was a child so I was excited to find it here on Amazon in the US. My daughter loves reading it too.
Helpful
 Report
Placeholder
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, but for older kids
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2020
Verified Purchase
The book is funny, wonderfully illustrated and has a lovely message. However, the Amazon s age appropriate recommendation is misleading, as the book is for older kids then 2-4. There is much text and it's fairly long. I would say it should be more like preschool till 2ns grade. Still I don't regret buying it and my four year old and i have been thoroughly enjoying it!
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
JBJB
5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE this book!
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2013
Verified Purchase
I LOVED this book as a kid - it was hilarious! I've had a very difficult time finding it and was excited to finally get it here. I enjoyed reading it again with my own children and they find it pretty funny (the baby in particular) and entertaining. As a teacher and parent, I love finding books that are original, clever, and actually introduce kids to interesting characters (even if they are crooks, lol) and rich vocabulary. Still love this book!
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
Interesting story.
Helpful
 Report
its_em
4.0 out of 5 stars Burglar Bill is a childhood classic
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2012
Verified Purchase
Burglar Bill was my favorite book when I was a child. While it is about a Burglar it does have good moral to the story, and he does repent of his burgling ways. I was delighted to read this book again, and while it is a bit lengthy of a story for an infant, I did read it to my son.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Charming children's book!
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2019
Verified Purchase
Delightful story, lovely illustrations, an excellent book for any adult or child!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Burglar Bill rocks
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2017
Verified Purchase
Brand new, immaculate copy of a favorite from when my kids were little. I plan to give to my first grandchild!
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Captain Chaos
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic story!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
Have just read this to my granddaughter. To get the best out of it, one needs to provide unique voices to the characters. Lovely pictures. A delight to share with a youngster.
Report
Kabilan
3.0 out of 5 stars Expensive
Reviewed in India on March 11, 2022
Verified Purchase
Received book in good condition. But the product is actually priced as Rs 399 but I got it for Rs 620
Report
Client d'Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Super livre, gentillet et drôle
Reviewed in France on January 30, 2022
Verified Purchase
Ma fille de 5 ans et moi-même avons adoré ce livre qui comporte pas mal d'illustrations. L'histoire est gentillet, mignonne, attendrissante même et drôle. Ma fille a particulièrement rit quand elle est arrivée à la séquence du bébé.

Auteur très connu et ancien maintenant et j'avais un peur qu'il soit désuet ou plus dans l'air du temps mais pas du tout. Ce livre reste actuel. Un classique à adopter qui perdure dans le temps.
One person found this helpful
 Report
noha
3.0 out of 5 stars amazing book but ...
Reviewed in Italy on September 18, 2020
Verified Purchase
very samll letters on the screen very hard for the kid to read.
Report
Cliente Amazon
4.0 out of 5 stars Bien, algo anticuado
Reviewed in Spain on January 16, 2017
Verified Purchase
La historia es original pero claro, los tiempos cambian y las historias a veces se quedan anticuadas, especialmente cuando el tema habla sobre las relaciones hombres / mujeres.
Report